Abia State is set to host over 2,000 delegates, including legal practitioners, judges, policymakers, academics and development partners, for the 2026 Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL).
The conference themed “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy and Development,” scheduled to hold from November 9 to 13, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, will be co-hosted by the Abia State Government.
The announcement was made on Friday, during a press conference in Umuahia, where the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, said the state was delighted to host the national gathering, which would focus on advancing justice, democracy and development.
Uwanna said the conference theme, reflected the philosophy of the administration of Governor Alex Otti, particularly its commitment to strengthening justice institutions, protecting citizens’ rights and promoting accountability in governance.
“For us in Abia State, justice is not merely what happens in the courtroom. It is about the protection of the rights of citizens, ensuring accountability in governance and creating an environment where development thrives,” he said.
The Attorney General disclosed that more than 10 courthouses were ready for commissioning by the governor, while several infrastructural improvements had also been carried out across the state’s judicial facilities.
He added that the government was advancing electronic filing of court processes and implementing reforms aimed at making the justice system more efficient, accessible and responsive to citizens’ needs.
Uwanna further disclosed that Governor Otti signed three landmark legislations into law on October 19, 2026, namely the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 6 of 2026, the Abia State Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026 and the Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026.
According to him, the legislations are expected to strengthen the administration of justice, improve access to justice and promote peace, stability and sustainable development in the state.
He also recalled that the governor had signed the Abia State Correctional Facility Law in 2025, expressing hope that discussions at the conference would produce guidelines and practical roadmaps for its implementation.
In her remarks, the Chairman of NBA-SPIDEL, Professor Uju Agomoh, said the conference would provide an opportunity for the legal profession to move beyond theoretical discussions and develop practical recommendations capable of influencing public policy and institutional reforms.
Agomoh said the gathering would examine critical issues bordering on access to justice, judicial independence, human rights, public accountability, correctional reforms, state policing and the protection of vulnerable groups.
She noted that the conference would also address issues relating to deaths in custody, prevention of torture, oversight of detention facilities and the protection of women, children and other marginalised groups.
According to her, the discussions would seek answers to questions concerning the strengthening of democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law, as well as the role of legal institutions in promoting economic development and social inclusion.
“We are particularly interested in moving beyond theory. We are tired of theoretical discussions. We want to move to concrete, practical, actionable recommendations,” she said.
The NBA-SPIDEL chairman disclosed that the conference would bring together stakeholders from government, the judiciary, academia, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners from Nigeria and other countries.
She added that the programme would feature professional development sessions for young lawyers, mentorship opportunities for women in the justice sector, technical discussions and exhibitions involving civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Agomoh also announced that outstanding media organisations demonstrating commitment to public interest journalism would be recognised during the conference dinner, with a public voting process to determine the recipients.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Ejike Ezenwa, SAN, said the conference was designed to place the interests of ordinary Nigerians at the centre of discussions on governance, justice and development.
Ezenwa said participants would include representatives of international organisations and development partners, adding that the gathering would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange ideas and develop solutions to challenges affecting the country.
He described the conference as a special session of the NBA dedicated to issues affecting the public, urging residents of Abia State to demonstrate hospitality and serve as ambassadors of the state to visiting delegates.
He expressed confidence that the Umuahia edition would surpass the previous conference held in Oyo State, attributing his optimism to the support of the Abia State Government and the conference leadership.
In her address, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Legal Matters, Nkolika Ubani, described the conference theme as timely, particularly as the country approaches another electioneering season.
Ubani said justice, democracy and development were interconnected pillars of a progressive society, stressing that there could be no sustainable development without the rule of law and accountable institutions.
She also highlighted the exhibition component of the conference, saying it would provide opportunities for legal technology companies, publishers, financial institutions, government agencies, corporate organisations and entrepreneurs to showcase their products, innovations and services.
The Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General of Abia State and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Paul Ogudunka, assured intending delegates that arrangements had been made for accommodation, security, transportation and medical support.
Ogudunka said the state expected more than 2,000 participants, including Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Okusanya, SAN, and other prominent figures in the legal profession.
He said the choice of Umuahia reflected the state’s commitment to justice, human dignity and development, adding that the conference would showcase the possibilities of advancing justice beyond the country’s major commercial centres.
He urged journalists to go beyond reporting the opening ceremony by following discussions on deaths in custody, policing, legal aid and democracy.
“Those are the stories that change lives. Report accurately, report fairly, and help us to carry the resolutions of the conference to the people who cannot be here,” he said.
The NBA-SPIDEL 2026 Annual Conference offers an opportunity for participants to engage with important national issues and contribute to conversations on advancing justice, protecting democracy and promoting development in the public interest.
